Domain specific language creation

Abstract

In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for using a domain specific computer language to extend an existing computer language is provided, comprising: creating a rule for validation for a compiler, the rule for validation created in a rule description language created specifically to describe rules for validation, the rule defining a part of the domain specific computer language; examine source text to identify a domain specific language to use for compiling; and compiling the source text using a compiler for an existing computer language using the identified domain specific language, wherein the compiler contains a rules interpretation engine that runs the rules for validation for the identified domain specific language, wherein the rules for validation are external to the compiler.

1 . A method for using a domain specific computer language to extend an existing computer language, comprising:
 creating a rule for validation for a compiler, the rule for validation created in a rule description language created specifically to describe rules for validation, the rule defining a part of the domain specific computer language;   examine source text to identify a domain specific language to use for compiling; and   compiling the source text using a compiler for an existing computer language using the identified domain specific language, wherein the compiler contains a rules interpretation engine that runs the rules for validation for the identified domain specific language, wherein the rules for validation are external to the compiler.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 creating a rule for type checking for a compiler, the rule for type checking created in a rule description language created specifically to describe rules for type checking, the rule for type checking defining a part of the domain specific computer language.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 creating a rule for formatting for a compiler, the rule for formatting created in a rule description language created specifically to describe rules for formatting, the rule for formatting defining a part of the domain specific computer language.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the domain specific computer language contains rules for grammar, rules for validation, rules for type checking, rules for formatting, and rules for operational semantics. 
     
     
         5 . A method for creating a domain specific language for a business, the method comprising:
 identifying objects for the domain specific language, wherein the objects correlate to tangible aspects of the business;   identifying operators for the domain specific language, wherein the operators describe actions that can be performed on or between the identified objects;   identifying rules for the domain specific language, wherein the rules describe constraints on the objects and operators that correlate to tangible limitations in the business; and   incorporating the objects, operators, and rules into a domain specific language external from a compiler but compatible with a rule interpretation engine inside the compiler.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the incorporating includes:
 creating rules for grammar;   creating rules for validation;   creating rules for type checking;   creating rules for formatting; and   creating rules for operational semantics.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the creating rules for validation includes using a rule description language created specifically to describe rules for validation. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the creating rules for type checking includes using a rule description language created specifically to describe rules for type checking. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the creating rules for formatting includes using a rule description language created specifically to describe rules for formatting. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the domain specific language extends an existing computer language. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the rules for the domain specific language identify constraints that are stronger constraints than could be created by a tool for extending the existing computer language that is a part of the existing computer language itself. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus comprising:
 a tool for authoring rules for validation, in a rule description language created for authoring rules for validation, of a domain specific language;   a tool for authoring rules for type checking, in a rule description language created for authoring rules for type checking, of the domain specific language; and   a tool for authoring rules for formatting, in a rule description language created for authoring rules for formatting, of the domain specific language.   
     
     
         13 . A program storage device readable by a machine and tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method for using a domain specific computer language to extend an existing computer language, the method comprising:
 creating a rule for validation for a compiler, the rule for validation created in a rule description language created specifically to describe rules for validation, the rule defining a part of the domain specific computer language;   examine source text to identify a domain specific language to use for compiling; and   compiling the source text using a compiler for an existing computer language using the identified domain specific language, wherein the compiler contains a rules interpretation engine that runs the rules for validation for the identified domain specific language, wherein the rules for validation are external to the compiler.   
     
     
         14 . The program storage device of  claim 13 , wherein the method further comprises:
 creating a rule for type checking for a compiler, the rule created in a rule description language created specifically to describe rules for type checking, the rule for type checking defining a part of the domain specific computer language.   
     
     
         15 . The program storage device of  claim 13 , wherein the method further comprises:
 creating a rule for formatting for a compiler, the rule created in a rule description language created specifically to describe rules for formatting, the rule for formatting defining a part of the domain specific computer language.   
     
     
         16 . The program storage device of  claim 13 , wherein the domain specific computer language contains rules for grammar, rules for validation, rules for type checking rules for formatting, and rules for operational semantics. 
     
     
         17 . The program storage device of  claim 13 , wherein the domain specific language identifies constraints that are stronger constraints than could be created by a tool for extending the existing computer language that is a part of the existing computer language itself.